Gridiron Diaspora
Intro:
WELCOME TO LIGHTHOUSE STORIES LLC
Lighthouse Stories LLC is a Haitian-led film production company dedicated to uncovering untold histories that speak to resilience, legacy, and truth.
Our latest project, Gridiron Diaspora, tells the story of Henry McDonald —
born in Haiti in 1890, brought to the United States as a child, and one of the earliest Black professional football players in America, before the NFL.
At a time when Black men faced exclusion in housing, employment, and public life, Henry McDonald stepped onto the gridiron and helped shape the early game — only to have his story quietly fade from history.
Through historical research, family testimony, and expert insight, Gridiron Diaspora restores Henry McDonald’s place in American sports history and examines the silence that surrounded his legacy for generations.
🎥 Currently in production — learn more about Henry McDonald’s story.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
“As a storyteller and filmmaker, I am committed to preserving legacies that history has overlooked.
Henry McDonald’s journey from Haiti to the American gridiron is a story of courage, resilience, and dignity that deserves to be told. His legacy is not just about football — it is about survival, silence, and the paths forged for future generations.
Through Gridiron Diaspora, we honor his life and restore a history that was never meant to be lost.”
— Jimmy Jacques, Director / Producer
Company: Lighthouse Stories LLC
Email: lighthousestoriesllc@gmail.com
Phone: 728-214-5252 or 561-431-1885
Social Media: Coming soon